Laundry system



July 12, 1960 I. A. WILSON LAUNDRY SYSTEM 7 Filed Dec. 10, 1957- INVENTOR. /r w'n A. Wilson HIS ATTORNEYS H ts This invention relates to laundry-apparatus'afid'pan St tes ne -w1 i it lthnsbeenan object of my, invention to devise aln'w orjimproved system or arrangement for launderingiarticlesand particularly fabrics in such a manner as to provide a more effi'cient employment of the cleaning water or liquid; 7 7 Another object has been to devise an arrangement which may utilize conventional laundry'tubs, but in such a manner; as to supply and circulate the water or cleaning liquid in a continuous, unidirectional sweeping man ner, essentially in such a way as to automatically sub stantially fully renew the content of the tubs without the ticularly, to awashing and rinsing.procedure,.s'ystem oiarrangement for'articles of materiaL-such as' clothing, rugs,- draperies, etc; 7 i p V U Although automatic washers are coming into increasing .use, there is still a need fora more'si-mple andinexpensive washing system'that is offa semi-manual types Also, 1

the rinsing cycle'of automatic washers is somewhat wasteful of rinsing water, and as to some types ofheavyar ticles, may not be sufficient and-thus,- require repeating the cycle. To meet both needs, I make use: of aivpair of adjacently positioned containers or-wa s h tubs, ,such as commonly found in the laundry room; ofa home-and, in such a mannen -thatwater in the :tilbsmay be used over and over againawithoutdrai-fiin-g the tubs, and irrespective or whether or notpne tub is tobe used asa washingtub or a- "first :rinse tub or alternately; as {bot-hr;

P Heavier objects such as rugs-large draperies; etc.,are

more conveniently and effectively rinsed: in a tub system and; in many cases, the tubs areused for-tinsing-other articles including clothing.- A'wringer may be positioned on the endpartition wall between-the tubs to wring-out the articles after they have been washed or rinsed'in one tub andbefore they are introduced into the other tub.

It is customary to drain water off from the wringer into the wash or first rinsetub to avoid contaminating the final rinse water. outlets or sewer connections adjacent their frontorhack end portions and are-provided with plugs, sothat a desired amount of water may be maintained in1eachof them. In an ordinary system, asqthusg-out lined, it has Tubs of this type-hav'ebottom' been customary-to handle the liquid or "water separately i in each tub, by means of separate supply faucets :a-nd separate drains. The tubs will be frequently drained and refilled to avoid adversely affecting thew'ashing and -fins"- ing operations; an'article such as asmall-rug=ordinarily requires a complete change of'both wash and rinse water.

In accordance with my invention, I provide asy'stem or arrangement wherein washing or rinsing .wat'er -or liquid may be supplied to one tub and from that-tub to the other in a continuous manner so'as to utilize a common source of supply, to fully sw'eep scum and dirt from the surface and corners of the one tub forwardly into the other ttub', and to produce a novel type of dirt and scum sweeping movement of the liquid-within the tubs and from the othertub into the drain. This is done in such a manner' that the main body ofrtheiliquid in each tub or container is,:iri efiechltileahed andkept directionally swept as the washing and rinsing operations progress rand-are completed. In fact, by ,way' of example, employing myysystem *or arrangement, I have closed an assembly: of ad acent laundry tubso'r containers been a'bleto'wash'a dirty rug-and then followit immedinentruuypraaical.

a a t-an sdegreeselockwise of itsposition-in Figure 4';

containers having" a flowpassage in a common partition wall therebetween such --th at anagitated top -layertof dirty liquid lint and scum will be continuously-moved out of both tubs, while employing one as a washing orgfirstrinsing chamber and the other asa final rinsing chamber, and while continuously supplying the liquid only to one of the containers from the other; I e i These and other objects of my invention will appear to those-skilled in theart from thedescription and the illustrated-embodiments; V V r edr n s j Figure-'1 is a. longitudinal section in elevation through a-tub or, container assembly or arrangement constructc and utilized in accordance with my invention; 9.,

mentpof Figure l; 7

Figure 3' is an end section-in elevation on the-same scale asFigures :1 and 2, and taken along the linetIII*iHI of-Eigure 2; V

Figure 4 is a'fragmental front view in elevation through an intermediate partition portion of the assembly 'or arrangem'ent 'of Figures 1 and 2, and on the'same scale as such figures; this figure illustrates a modified or adaptor type of arrangement for *one :of the 'containers-*to1provide it with a spillway;. Figure 4A is an enlarged fragmental perspective tin elevation of'the adaptor shown in Figure -4i;'this view showsthe adaptor after it has'been turnedabout 45 Figure 5'-:is a back view ineleva-tion showingd'etail's of back connections employed witha constructiomsueh as'sho wn in Figures 2 and:3;

And,..Figure dis a greatly enlargedperspectivebaci; view inel-evation ofa slide or adjustable-plate shut-oil or control means employed in the construction-ofFig tires 1 to 3, inclusive, and 5.; J

Referringparticularly toFigures l to 3,- I'hav"e dis= \IO -and 1(9 having a common upright'e'nd p'artition'aiid connecting wall 11. These tubs or containers may "be made of any suitable or conventional material, such as slate, aluminum, cast iron; porcelain or ceramic mate: rial. In 'th'e'sefigures, I have illustrated an apparatus system or structural;arrangement which may be em ployed to fully utilize theprinciples of my invention. lrrthis connection; I have' Ishown' means 17 for-supplying washing liquid-to one container 'ltiw'hich definesa final rinse chamber 'andwhose l-iquid 'level a is provided by closing'ofl its drain-opening or outlet 1521' by a plu'g 16.

ber -and a level-b-jof-water or liquid jthereinris maintained by closing-off its drain openingor outlet; 1'5"'atby.i:a suit? table lug;16'. .gkpassage-portion or spillway means-11a or 1 a "is provided for each of thecontai-nerszor mbs.

1'0'and10'; The portions 11a and 12'd have a vertically,"

spaced r'elationship with each other to define a lower level of liquid or water within the first chamber than in the second chamber. In addition, such spillways and particularly, the spillway 11a between the containers are sospaced and located that an effective agitating-sweeping or skimming-off action as to dirt, lint and scum is continuously maintained during the running of theliquid or water into the container 10. In other words, the movement is such as to cause the dirty liquid to rise into and remain in a top layer that is effectively removed as it is formed. On the other hand, a suitable operating level of clean water is maintained. A circulatory (circular) path of movement of the liquid is made possible and assured in the same direction in both of the containers 10 and 10'.

In accordance with my invention, the out-flow of liquid from the two containers or tubs is of a spillway or sweep-oil type for a cutting or skimming action of out-flow of suspended scum, lint and dirt particles from positions that are substantially tangential to the circulation of liquid within the chambers of the containers. The position of inflow of liquid into the tub 10 is shown as substantially diago'nal to the position of outflow therefrom; this is also, for best results, true as to the tub 10.

The tubs or containers 10 or 10' have been provided with similar reference numerals as to their common or similar parts, but have been distinguished by prime affixes, as applied to the second tub. The end walls of the tub unit construction or assembly are represented by 13 and 13'. Downwardly-backwardly-declining front walls 14 and 14 are shown in an opposed relationship with vertical back walls 12 and 12', and with bottom walls 15 and 15, define the second and first chambers of the respective containers.

The tubs 10 and 10, as shown particularly in Figure 2, have conventional drain openings or outlet portions 15m and 15a through their bottom walls 15 and 15' adjacent a back end portion of the common partition wall 11. For normal operation of the system, the drain o'penings are closed-off by conventional plugs 16 and 16' of suitable resilient material, such as rubber. The drain openings 15a and 15a are connected by threaded bushings 26 to' a drain elbow part or fitting 25 at its upper, female branch portions 25a and 25b. The elbow or fitting 25 has a threaded pin or nipple sewer connection or portion 25c, as well as a backwardly-projecting externally-threaded pin or nipple portion 25d.

When a system of my invention is to be employed without the desired type of spillway drain passage 12'a, to quickly adapt a conventional tub arrangement, I provide a spillway tube 30 (see Figures 4 and 4A) whose lower end portion 301: is tapered to fit within and make a seal with the taper of the drain or o'utlet portion 15a. In such an adaptation, supply faucets (not shown) of the container 10 need not be used. The upper end of the tube 30 is provided with a sleeve-fitting or threadedon end closure 30b which has a rectangular side opening or passageway portion 300. As shown in Figure 4, liquid b is also maintained by such means at a tangential location as to the path of movement of the liquid.

As shown particularly in Figure 2, the source of liquid, such as a common hot and cold water mixer type of faucet arrangement 17 is shown provided with an out-swung spout or nozzle 17a to further a rotating, clockwise movement, such as shown in this figure, when the nozzle is swung to the position of Figure 2. The circulating or rotating movement of the liquid or water in the second chamber (defined by container 10) is indicated by arrows l of Figure 2, by arrows m as to the first chamber (defined by container 10'), and by arrows n to indicate the out-flow from the spillway passage portion 12a of the rinse chamber.

When the container or tub 1 is employed in accordance with my system, using a back corner spillwayoutlet passage 12'a, I have provided means for closingoff such passage when the tub 10' is to be used for other purposes, and when open, for receiving liquid flow tangentially-outwardly of the circular path of movement of the liquid in the tub 10 to discharge it into a drainage or sewage system. In Figure 6, I have shown an adjustable, apertured slide plate member 27 of disc-like or circular shape that has a central, rectangular-shaped passageway or bore 27d that corresponds in size and shape to the size and shape of the passage 12'a in the con tainer wall, see Figures 1 and 3. The plate 27 also has an elongated bottom slot 27a and a pair of similar, elongated slide slots 27b and 27c. A backwardly-projecting pin 27e is employed as an operating handle for adjusting the positioning of the plate member 27 with respect to the passageway 12'a.

As shown particularly in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5, the platemember 27 is adjustably carried on the inner side face of a drain fitting or connector 18. Bolt and nut assemblies 19 are carried by mounting holes in the back wall 12', extend through elongated slots 27b and 27c, and are carried by mounting holes 1811 and in the connector 18. A threaded set bolt or screw 28 (see Figure 3) is carried by the connector 18 and projects into alignment with the bottom slot 27a of the adjustment plate member 27. When through bolt and nut assemblies 19 are loosened, the plate 27 may be adjusted along its slots 27b and 270, as guided by the set screw 28 along its slot 27a. Thus, the plate 27 may be positioned to shut-off or open the outlet passage portion 12a. Thus, it is apparent that a fiuid-sealed-o'fi tight joint may be effected by tightening down on the bolts 19- after the adjustment has been accomplished.

' Soiled liquid passes through a bore within the drain connector 18 and is carried by its male threaded nipple or pin end portion 18a to a down-pipe 20 and an annular connector elbow part 22. Internally-threaded female collars 21 secure the pipe 20 on the nipples of the parts 18 and 22. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the elbow 22 may have its other side nipple or pin end portion 22b closed-off by plug 23 (see also Figure 2), although it may be provided with parts 18, 20, etc., if the tub 10 is to constitute the first tub rather than the tub 10'. In this case, the side end portion 22a would be provided with a plug corresponding to 23. As shown particularly in Figures 3 and 5, a front threaded pin or male end portion 22c is connected by a pipe section 24 and its collar to a back pin or threaded nipple end portion 25d of drain connector 25.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, c has been employed to indicate the distance between the center line of the passage portio'n 11a and the inner upper edge of the front walls 14 and 14'. The dimension d is taken between the vertical center line of the passage portion 11a and the inner edge of the back walls 12 and 12'. As shown particularly in Figures 1, 3 and 4, e represents the vertical distance from the top edge of the tubs. to a horizontal center line of the passageway 11a, and e represents the vertical distance from such center line to the inside of the bottom walls 15 and 15 of the containers.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, f indicates an end or cross dimension between the inner side of end wall 13' and a vertical center line through the passageway 12'a. The end or cross dimension g extends from such vertical central line to the side of the partition wall 11 that faces the rinsing chamber. In Figures 1 and 3, i represents the distance between the trip edge of the container 10 to a horizontal center line through the drain passage portion 12'a. On the other hand, h represents the distance between such center line and the inside of the bottom wall 15'.

It must be emphasized that the position of the spillway passage 11a is critical from the standpoint that it must be located forwardly beyond a center line through the container fromthe position at which the liquid is supplied.

tion'with respect to the ci-rulatorypath of moven'ie or encircled rectangular passage portion as 12's) provides much better results than a roundedorner pas ew y- .j

h h. .ai i ov p o mh n a t is attained by reason of the type of circulating movement in the chambers, and a' substantially. full 'and cornplete' t pe if a ion sic en ia f r h fi i rinsing chambr N f in of the liquidtherein In thisfconneetion, an enclosed container it) an'di's' assuredfby the shape, location and nature of the intermediatespillway11d, afslightly lesser efiiciency o-flayout may be permissible in the washingor initial rinsing'chamber of the'container 16 Thus,

the spillway tube 30 may be u'sed raraaa naaa purposes.

Itwill be noted that both the passageways ll'a and soc are located behind an intermediate or longitudinal center line through the tubs and adjacent back corners ofthe' tub The eifective flow size. of the rectangular side opening in the outlet'portion b of manna 30 should at least thesame as that of the intermediate passage or spillway 11a. H v V Contrary to what migh't appear, if the circulation or path of movement of the liquid within the container 10 i s clockwise, then the circulation or path of movement in within the rinsecontainer. 10 will also be clockiwi seand notconnterclockwise. The drain plugs 16 and I 6f'need onlytbe withdrawn at the completion of the washing or laundering operation, in that employing my system; the liquid or water in both of the containers 10 and-10'- is kept so fres'h and clean that a series of articles, whether white or colored, very or slightly dirt'y, mayjbe' processed in series-progression, Without adversely aflect ing the rinsing or washing operations, and withoutspoil ing or dulling the white goods, for eigarnple. I

f I'he rectangular shape of the spillway passage'por'tion 110 which is important, provides a greatly improved skimmingor screening ofi action of scum and dirty liquid level from the top level of the washing bath and is sues-- tive' in providing a desiredlclean water level in the bath. The passage portion 11a has a greater horizontal thaii stream or flow oiwater therethrough. As shown, both baths are filled and kept circulating by a continuous su ply of water or liquid from the spout 11a. This provides arelatively high level of liquid in both baths, but a slightly lower level b in the washing or first rinsing chamber than the level ti in the second or final rinsing chamber (see Figure 4). n t

Thelower level of liquid b in the container 10' is maintained by providing the spillway outlet passage portion 12'a (or anoutlet portion 30c of the tube 30), the level of whose open-mouth corresponds substantially to the desired top level of the bath. It is important that the size or extent of the opening provided by the outlet passageway of the rinsing container 10' be as large as or of substantially the same size or flow area as the spillway passage portion or outlet 11a from the container 10. Also, if as is desirable, a side outlet passageway portion 12'a is provided for the chamber 10', it will have substantially the same rectangular shape and dimensions as that of the passage portion 11a.

The maintenance of a different level of operation in the two containers also assures that the continuous flow of water or liquid is always in one direction between the imported ni hrsw action;

min off action;

as aaaveaaplnnei g or laundering opera: tions, im they have ben compietedi If a hand type of washing operation is'to be--aec" o1iipli'shed' the chainber ot' 10, the flow of water from the spout 17d maybe turned-pit until itis cenipleted. Atsuch time, the flow mayjfi again Started and the tubs have "lea fed of soap, lint, etc. when the tubsare tobe 'rer initial andfinal'rinsing or clothes washed by a wafshefi't he supply of liqu orav'ater may be effected continuously during the operation. V

Although the inner 'contour'of the containers or tubs 10" issubsta tia ll y rectangular, the live, unidirectional; activated new of Water tain e l'siis suehthat it"siwee ps'. along the corners enally from one eontain'erinto the other and the otherinto a sewer' or dfailf cdnneetion; since the out fiow'and the supply of water is maintained sub:

' stantially constant,' the levelof water within the chambers is also maintained substantially constant.

5 It is important to note that although others skilledin the an have employed tub arrangements wherein there lias'been an outflow from one into another and an up erlevel outflow from the other, my arrangement is based upon a new principle of flow, such that the water remain in' the tubs is substantially fully clean for and cleansing operations. 'In this connection, the tangential location and the natur of myspinways are important factors and in je'mineetioii with" a circulatory type of agitated new. H That is", atop-edge overflow between chafii hers makes my type "of circulating rnovernent impossible and s vertically-extending or open type or circular or ea winer es-flow spillway opening or'enclosed p'a agewa'y has'been'feund ineffective as to afiill skiin "b en found to be highly important in forining into and'nio ving the dirt, scum, lint and soap particle's'a's an upper suspension layer of the baths and in maintaining them as a top layer are nature and'type that an effective skimnfing o-fiaction can be attained and the maiii bbjdy of iiqu-idwithin the baths will be maintained "clean for'continuous' o uninterrupted operation.

'wtt ma also be noted that [contemplate providing m ans 18 an archer the ccfitainers'io and 10", if'tlie vertical dimension or extent to impart a like s hape to the l 'ltiillaij container (right or left) that is to provide th'eifirst rinse or chamber orbath is not known at the time of the sale fo-r the installation involved. Ho i ever; oncethe layout and location of th'ewashing apparatus-has been selected and the inst'allationwha's been made, only one means 18 is needed and, for-this reason,

I -'have shown only one in the drawings as representative of the utilizatibn.

washing and rinsing tubs and never a counterflow, and I The levels of liquid or water a and I shown'in the drawings, represent stationary levels or levels'at tlie time that the baths are quiescent and no liquid is being introduced. However, when flow of liquid is being effected by the introduction of the liquid through the spout 17a, the level in the chamber of the first tub 10 rises above the level a to substantially a raised level represented by the top wall of the passageway 11a. In other words, the supply of liquid or water is made sufficient to first provide a kinetic outflow of the liquid through passageway lla into the chamber of the second tub 10' and, secondly, in order that the vertical extent or width of the passageway 11a will project below the activated top surface of the water in the chamber 10 and beneath the activated layer of dirt and' scum carried along its top.

In a like manner, the level of liquid within the chamber v f the second tub 10 is raised to provide a similar type of action and outfiowas to the passage 12a.

mylnventionthe water or likgtuidj Also, the circulatory type of fliiwv'.

What I claim is: I

l. A laundry apparatus employing a pair of adjacentlypositioned liquid containers having at least one separation wall therebetween and wherein one container has walls defining a final rinse chamber and the other container has walls defining an initial rinse or wash chamber which comprises, means adjacent anupright wall of the one container to fill the chambers with liquid, said means having a portion positioned to impart a circular path of movement of liquid within the final rinse chamber, a flat-surfaced spillway passage portion through said separation wall adjacent an upper portion of the one container to define the level of liquid in the final rinse chamber, said spillway passage portion having a positioning that is forwardly beyond an intermediate location between the first-mentioned upright wall of the one container and an opposite wall of the same container; said spillway passage portion having a substantially tangential positioning with respect to the circular path of movement of the liquid within the final rinse chamber to drain surface scum from the final rinse chamber into the initial rinse chamber and to, with the above-defined positioning, set-up a second circular path of movement of liquid within the initial rinse chamber corresponding to the direction of the circular path in the final rinse chamber; a second fiat-surfaced spillway passage portion having a positioning adjacent a back corner of the other chamber and backwardly beyond an intermediate location between opposed upright walls of the other container and having a lower height than said first-mentioned spillway passage portion, said second spillway passage portion being open from the initial rinse chamber adjacent an upper portion thereof to define the level of liquid within the initial rinse chamber and discharge surface scum at a lower level from the initial rinse chamber than from the final rinse chamber, and said secondmentio-ned spillway passage portion being open solely in a substantially tangential positioning with respect to the second circular path of movement of liquid within the initial rinse chamber to provide a directed discharge flow from the initial rinse chamber in alignment with the circular path of flow created therein to complement the existing circular flow.

2. A laundry apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the opening of said second-mentioned spillway passage portion projects through a back wall of the other container, an adjustable slide-plate shut-off means is carried by the other container in-a cooperating position with said second-mentioned spillwaypassage portion, and a connector cooperates with said adjustable means to discharge liquid from said second-mentioned spillway passage to a sewer.

3. A laundry apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the other container has an upwardly-projecting outlet tube provided with a closed upper end having a single open side portion directed toward the circular path of flow and defining said second-mentioned spillway passage portion.

4. A laundry apparatus having a pair of upright rectangular containers in an end-to-end connected relationship and wherein, the containers have a common partition wall therebetween and having bottom, front, back, and end walls, and the walls of the one container define a final rinsing chamber and the walls'of the other container define a first rinsing chamber which comprises, water injection means cooperatively positioned with respect to the back wall of the one container for filling its chamber and imparting a circular path of movement of Water therein in one direction and for continuously supplying water thereto during a laundering operation, spillway means for discharging surface water and scum from said final rinsing chamber and for initiating a second unidirectional circular path of fluid movement in said first rinsing chamber which flows in the same direction as the path of movement in the chamber of the one container, said spillway passage means comprising a rectangular spillway passage portion through the partition wall at an upper-front corner portion thereof which defines the level'of liquid within the final rinsing chamber, said spillway passage being positioned substantially tangential to the circular path of movement within said final rinsing chamber, a second rectangular spillway passage portion open through a wallof the other container adjacent a back corner thereof to discharge dirty water and surface scumirom the first rinsing chamber, the opening of said second-mentioned spillway passage portion being positioned toward and tangentially of the circular path. of movement of water within the first rinsing chamber, and said second-mentioned spillway having an inlet opening that is located substantially above the bottom wall of the other container and slightly below the first-mentioned spillway passage portion to maintain a level of water within the first rinsing chamber slightly below the level within the final rinsing chamber.

5. A laundry apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein a sliding-plate device is mounted on the back wall of the other container to open and close said second-mentioned spillway passage portion, said sliding plate device has an apertured disc adjustably secured on the back wall of the other container, said disc has a spillway passageway slot therein of rectangular shape that defines said' second-mentioned spillway passage portion and is open to the'first rinsing chamber, a connector is mounted on the back wall of the other container in a cooperating relationship with said disc and has a passageway to re ceive water from the passageway slot in said disc, and sewer-connecting pipe means extends from said connector.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 276,634 Ruemelin May 1, 1883 1,277,926 Heiskanen Sept. 3, 1918 1,421,664 Brown July 4, 1922 2,736,183 Arnold Feb. 28, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,116,066 France Jan. 23, 1956 

